Blocton Italian Catholic Cemetery

The Blocton Italian Catholic Cemetery is eligible for listing in the National Register under Criterion A - Ethnic Heritage as the site most importantly associated with the Italian immigrant settlers who migrated to Bibb County in the late nineteenth century and lived and worked in the area into the 20th century. The cemetery reflects an important aspect of the area's settlement and evolving sense of community. In the late 19 century, hundreds of Italians immigrated to Bibb County, Alabama to work in the coalmines of the Tennessee Coal and Iron Company. In spite of segregation and discrimination, these immigrants established a thriving and vibrant community in Blocton, Alabama. In addition to their own community known as Little Italy, the Italian immigrants founded St. Francis of Assisi Church and in 1906, the Catholic cemetery. Consecrated in1901, the cemetery was used until 1970 for the interment of these immigrants and their descendants. The cemetery retains a high degree of integrity in regard to its location, plan, setting, monumentation, feeling and association. The cemetery retains its original character and the burial ground's monumentation range and variety remain intact. Infill of modern stones has been minimal and does not compromise the graveyard's character. Most markers appear to be in relatively good condition. In regard to feeling and association, the Blocton Italian Catholic cemetery successfully represents a community cemetery of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In addition, the cemetery successfully conveys its most important period of use, the years between 1896 and 1949, when many Italian immigrants were interred there.